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Miller earns dough as Roar hold sway

SCOTSMAN Charlie Miller fired a right-foot missile to seal an
emphatic 3-0 victory for Brisbane Roar over Newcastle at
EnergyAustralia Stadium last night.

The Roar extended their dream run in Newcastle to five wins from
seven games.

Miller netted in the 70th minute after Brazilian Henrique sent
the ball into the Jets' penalty area.

The former Glasgow Rangers veteran controlled and turned on the
ball then calmly slotted it past Jets keeper Ben Kennedy.

Brisbane had gone out to a 2-0 lead after just 26 minutes, with
Sergio van Dyke chipping over the top of the Jets defence for
Reinaldo to score.

Kennedy blocked Reinaldo's first attempt but the Brazilian was
able to slot the rebound home.

Two minutes earlier Henrique had scored after Reinaldo had three
attempts inside the Jets area.

Reinaldo was able to lay off the ball for Henrique to open the
visitors' account.

Brisbane's Danny Tiatto, who has a back-related hamstring
problem, was substituted in the 12th minute with a groin
injury.

Josh McCloughan took over Tiatto's left-back role.

The match opened with chances at either end. On four minutes,
van Dyke shot from close range only to see Jets custodian Kennedy
get a fingertip on the ball, deflecting to the far post.

Jin-Hyung Song found the net a minute later only to be called
back for offside.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory are still chasing an experienced
attacker to replace the departed Danny Allsopp and are keeping
their transfer options open.

Coach Ernie Merrick said Allsopp's transfer to the Middle East
and the arrival this week of Brisbane Roar youngster Robbie Kruse
was not necessarily a like-for-like replacement.

Merrick believes Kruse may be able to play more as a striker
than a winger, as he did at the Roar.

Victory also have Brazilian striker Ney Fabiano, Costa Rican
attacking midfielder Carlos Hernandez, the versatile Tom Pondeljak
and Nick Ward able to play in a variety of forward roles.

But Merrick said the Victory remained in the market for an
experienced attacking player - either an attacking midfielder or a
penalty box poacher - but a new recruit must have a decent track
record.

''We've kept money in the salary cap for a senior experienced
attacker - we're looking both domestically and overseas,'' Merrick
said. ''Robbie Kruse is kind of a bonus on top of that.

''With good-quality defensive players, I think we're well
covered, but we're looking for someone who's creative and can put a
killer ball through.''

Victory will be able to test their new-look forward structure
against the Wellington Phoenix at Etihad Stadium this afternoon,
with Fabiano likely to be given first opportunity at filling
Allsopp's position alongside Archie Thompson.

Wellington have had six players and coach Ricki Herbert away
with New Zealand on international duty.

The Victory will no doubt be interested to hear that Mark Viduka
has called time on his European career, with his agent confirming
he is returning home to live in Australia.

Mystery had surrounded the former Socceroos captain's future
since the end of last season.

The 33-year-old had been linked with possible moves to English
clubs Portsmouth, Fulham and West Ham in a bid to extend his career
until next year's World Cup but his agent Steve Kutner has ruled
out another contract in Europe.

''I can confirm that Mark will not be seeking another contract
in England or Europe and is coming home to Australia to live,''
Kutner told theworldgame.com.au.

''He's about to enter a new phase in his life and whether that
includes playing again in Australia I'm not sure. He's had a superb
11 years or so in the UK [Celtic, Leeds, Middlesbrough and
Newcastle] and he's made his mind up to now move on.''